5 Best Remote Team Building Activities That Don’t Feel Forced
Some of the best remote team building activities don’t feel like team building at all—and that’s the magic. When you're working across time zones and screens, the last thing anyone wants is another “mandatory fun” hour that lands with a thud. The key? Give people a reason to actually show up, connect, and maybe even enjoy themselves.
Our Offsite Co. experts have spent years designing retreats and team experiences that bring people together in ways that feel natural, energizing, and actually fun. Along the way, we’ve seen what works—and what gets politely ignored. If your team needs that shift, we can help you design it.
Here are a few of our favorite activities that remote teams genuinely get into. They’re simple, smart, and most importantly, they don’t feel like a forced group hug.
1. Speed Sketch & Guess
This one is pure energy in motion. Think Pictionary, but with lower stakes and zero pressure to be good at drawing.
Here’s how it works:
One person sketches something using a digital whiteboard or screen share
Everyone else guesses in real time
Fast rounds keep it light and fun
The beauty is in the chaos—terrible drawings often get more laughs than good ones, which levels the playing field instantly. This format sparks laughter, inside jokes, and that satisfying feeling of being in sync with your team. It’s also easy to run on Zoom or any video platform with a drawing tool.
The Offsite Co. insight: Three quick rounds before strategy sessions help get people laughing and break the ice without forcing vulnerability.
2. The Five-Item Challenge
This is a creative thinking exercise disguised as a team bonding game. Set a theme (surviving a zombie apocalypse, planning the ultimate team retreat, launching a secret mission) and ask each person to pick five items they’d bring.
The catch? Everyone must explain their choices. You'll hear everything from "I'd bring duct tape because it fixes anything" to "I'd bring my cat because emotional support matters." The variety is the point. The result is a mix of wild ideas, practical insights, and weirdly revealing logic. It’s a perfect way to surface personality and problem-solving styles without calling it out directly.
The Offsite Co. insight: This doubles as a team diagnostic. You'll quickly spot who thinks tactically versus creatively, and who brings wildcard energy.
3. Custom Playlist Build
Music is a vibe-setter. A shared playlist helps people feel seen and connected, even when they’re continents apart.
Start with a theme:
"Songs that match our Monday energy"
"Tracks that got us through last quarter"
"Anthems for our next launch"
Invite everyone to add one song. No judgments, no explanations required—though people often end up sharing stories anyway once they see what others picked. Use Spotify, YouTube, or whatever platform your team likes. The playlist becomes a little digital artifact of your shared experience.
The Offsite Co. insight: People share something personal without explaining themselves on camera. Introverts especially appreciate this format.
4. Virtual Show & Tell: Chaos Edition
This one never fails. Ask everyone to grab the weirdest or most random item within arm’s reach. Then give each person 60 seconds to tell a story about it—true or made up. The randomness is what makes it work. Someone's coffee mug becomes a story about their college roommate. A stapler sparks a rant about office supply design. You never know where it'll go.
It’s fast, it’s funny, and it doesn’t ask for deep vulnerability or public speaking skills. Plus, it opens the door for creative storytelling and playful banter.
The Offsite Co. insight: The 60-second limit is crucial—it keeps energy high and prevents anyone from overthinking or dominating the conversation.
5. Async Question of the Week
Drop one simple question every Monday: “What was your first job?” or “What’s your go-to snack?” Keep questions light and open-ended—nothing too personal or work-heavy. The goal is easy participation, not deep reflection. People can chime in whenever. It’s perfect for teams spread across time zones, and it builds connection in the background—no calendar invites necessary.
The Offsite Co. insight: Weekly cadence builds ritual. Teams who run this for years create living archives of inside jokes and context that help new hires feel connected faster.
What Makes Remote Team Building Click
The best remote team building activities have one thing in common: they feel easy. Because they’re built around how people naturally interact. No one’s forced into awkward moments or elaborate games. It’s all about simple ways to connect that actually stick. Here’s why these types of activities tend to land well:
No Complex Instructions
Clear, simple prompts make it easy to join in. No one’s confused, no one’s overwhelmed, and there’s no learning curve. If it takes more than one or two sentences to explain, it’s probably too much.
One clear idea
Zero prep or close to it
Uses tools people already have
Everyone Joins in Their Own Way
Some people drop a comment. Others just react with an emoji. Some scroll through and smile. All of it counts. There’s no single “right” way to participate, which makes it easier for everyone to feel comfortable.
The Pressure’s Off
No live spotlight. No one has to lead the charge or be the most outgoing voice. Group formats and async setups keep it relaxed. That kind of low-pressure environment invites more honest participation.
They Build Shared Context
These moments create reference points—little things people remember and bring up later. That shared context builds team culture slowly, through repetition and familiarity. It becomes part of how the group relates, works, and laughs together.
What Kills Remote Team Building (And How to Avoid It)
Even good intentions can backfire if you're not careful. Here's what consistently makes remote team building feel like a chore instead of a break:
Going too long. Anything over 45 minutes starts feeling like work. Keep it tight, end on a high note, and leave people wanting more instead of checking the time.
Making it feel mandatory. The second you guilt-trip participation or make it "required fun," you've lost. Frame it as an option people will actually want to join, not another box to check.
Requiring prep work. If people need to read instructions, download software, or prepare anything in advance, half your team won't show up. The best activities work with what everyone already has.
Forcing personal sharing. Not everyone wants to talk about their weekend, their family, or their feelings in front of coworkers. Give people ways to participate that don't require vulnerability on demand.
Say Bye to Awkward, Hello to Fun
Let’s be honest—remote team events can go sideways fast. One awkward icebreaker, one too-long rules explanation, and boom—everyone’s silently begging for a “WiFi issue” excuse. But when it’s done right? A whole different story.
That’s our jam at The Offsite. We create live-hosted virtual events that are fun, fast-moving, and actually give teams a reason to show up (and stay). Our hosts know how to read the room, keep the energy high, and make sure no one’s stuck in cringe mode. Just good vibes, real laughs, and everyone feeling a little more connected by the end of it.
Designed specifically for remote teams
Hosted live by pros who know how to bring the fun
80%+ engagement on average.
Time-zone friendly and easy to join from anywhere
Zero overthinking. Just log on and enjoy.
Some of Our Fan Favorites (and Yes, They’re as Fun as They Sound)
The activities we covered work great when you want to run something yourself. But if you'd rather skip the logistics and just show up to something that actually delivers? The Offsite Co. hosts live virtual events designed specifically for remote teams—professionally run, high-energy, and built to keep people engaged from start to finish.
The Legend of Treasure Mountain
Race in teams to solve puzzles and hunt for gold before time runs out. It’s a high-stakes mountain escape with bragging rights on the line.
Escape to Alpha Centauri
Blast off across the galaxy with your co-workers in a space-themed adventure full of twists, teamwork, and just enough sci-fi drama.
Lip Sync Karaoke
Let the chaos commence. This one’s loud, fun, and full of unexpected stars. Zero singing talent required. Full team joy guaranteed.
Blast from the Past
Travel through the decades, crush team challenges, and relive some iconic moments. Think nostalgia overload with a competitive twist.
Want to see more? Browse our full lineup of virtual experiences and find the one that fits your team's vibe.
Over 2,000 teams jump into our events every month—and they keep coming back. They’re made for teams who work hard, live on Slack, and still want to have fun together. Whether you’re bonding across cities, countries, or continents, this is how remote culture gets a whole lot stronger (and a lot more fun).
Ready to Stop Settling for "Good Enough"?
Remote work doesn't mean your team culture has to feel distant. At The Offsite Co., we've spent years designing experiences that bring teams together in ways that feel natural, energizing, and genuinely fun—which is why we maintain a 97% year-over-year client retention rate.
Whether you need a one-time event or ongoing support building your remote culture, we'll help you create moments that actually stick. Schedule your free consultation and let's make it happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes remote team building activities effective vs. just another Zoom meeting?
Effective remote activities have a clear structure, low barriers to entry, and give people multiple ways to participate. The difference between "another meeting" and actual connection comes down to purpose—if it's designed to create shared moments rather than check a box, people feel it. Look for activities that don't require elaborate setup, work across time zones, and let people engage at their comfort level.
How do you get remote employees to actually participate in team building?
Make it easy to say yes. That means short time commitments (30-45 minutes max), activities that don't require special skills or equipment, and formats where people can contribute without being in the spotlight the whole time. Consistency also matters—when team building becomes a regular rhythm rather than a surprise obligation, participation naturally improves. And honestly? If an activity isn't landing after two tries, drop it and try something else.
Can remote team building actually improve productivity, or is it just for morale?
Both, but not in the way most people think. Team building doesn't directly make people work faster—it builds the psychological safety and interpersonal trust that makes collaboration smoother. When people know each other beyond job titles and Slack handles, they communicate more openly, resolve conflicts faster, and coordinate better on complex projects. The productivity gains show up in fewer misunderstandings and stronger working relationships.
What's the ideal frequency for remote team building activities?
Every 2-4 weeks hits the sweet spot for most teams. Weekly feels like overkill and burns people out. Monthly risks losing momentum. Biweekly keeps the connection fresh without becoming a burden. That said, async activities (like a question of the week) can run continuously in the background, while live events work best as recurring but spaced-out moments.
How do you make remote team building work across different time zones?
Mix live and async formats. For synchronous events, rotate meeting times so no one timezone always gets the bad slot—8am Pacific one month, 8am Eastern the next. For async activities, use Slack threads, shared playlists, or discussion boards where people contribute on their own schedule. The key is acknowledging that "everyone together live" isn't always realistic—and that's okay.
Do remote team building activities work for introverts?
When designed right, absolutely. Introverts often prefer activities with structure, clear expectations, and options to participate without performing. Async formats, creative challenges with preparation time, and small breakout rooms all work better than large-group improv or forced spontaneity. The goal isn't to make introverts act like extroverts—it's to create space where different personalities can connect authentically.